Orion sensed that Caretaker Shani might have found his actions amusing. He awkwardly cleared his throat several times and responded, "That's good. I'm happy that you enjoyed today."
Caretaker Shani's laughter gradually subsided, and she gazed at Orion. Besides him, no one else had managed to ensure that she was okay after her husband's death.
Yes, others had offered their sincere condolences, but it only served as a reminder of her late husband. Perhaps it was because she had opened up to him first, but even if she had, there was still no need for him to go above and beyond as he did today.
After witnessing his efforts, Caretaker Shani honestly didn't know what to say.
"Orion…" Caretaker Shani said, looking at the young man before her. She stretched her hand forward and grabbed his chin before Orion could respond.
She leaned in and kissed him firmly on the cheek before pulling back and staring at him warmly.
"Thank you for today," Caretaker Shani said again with a warm smile. "Now go and rest so that you can prepare yourself for tomorrow."
Although Orion hadn't expected Caretaker Shani to kiss him on the cheek out of nowhere, when he thought about it, he understood that this was probably a good thing, as it showed that she was healing gradually.
Orion understood that Caretaker Shani saw him as someone she could rely on in times like this, which wasn't something he was against, as long as it would help her return to her previous temperament.
"Okay, take care of your health and your relationship with your son from now on. I'll see you later, Caretaker Shani," Orion said before he turned around to leave. However, a hand firmly grasped his shoulder before he could make his way.
"Orion," Caretaker Shani said.
Orion turned around to meet her gaze.
"Call me Shani from now on, okay?" Caretaker Shani said with a warm smile as she released her hand from his shoulder. "And also, I'll be there to see you off when you leave tomorrow."
Orion nodded in response to Shani's words. "Okay, Shani. Goodnight," he responded.
"Goodnight," Caretaker Shani replied, nodding her head in response.
She watched as Orion flashed her a warm smile before turning around and walking away. The moonlight illuminated his figure as he disappeared into the distance among the trees and bushes.
Caretaker Shani exhaled deeply before closing her door and checking if her child was asleep. Satisfied, she prepared to sleep early so she could wake up early the next day.
...
Meanwhile, as Orion walked towards his hut, he couldn't help but sigh at Caretaker Shani's actions.
Sure, he had other ways to make Caretaker Shani feel better and forget about everything that had happened; however, he had not taken that direction because he was afraid of the potential consequences.
Of course, if that were the only solution, Orion wouldn't hesitate to choose it. But unless he wanted to be in a relationship with a woman with a few screws loose or someone who might develop severe attachment issues in the future, he had to pick the most reasonable and viable solution.
This decision wasn't just for her state of mind and the child with her.
Orion hoped she would get better; then, he could start taking her actions seriously. After almost an hour of walking, Orion finally arrived at his hut.
As he walked forward and opened the door, he noticed that his partners were all drinking some kind of herbal mixture, possibly for their pregnancy. They paid careful attention to whatever Sura was narrating before they turned their heads to meet him, noticing his arrival.
"Welcome home, Orion."
"Orion, welcome back home."
"Welcome back home, Orion."
They all greeted him with warm smiles before refocusing their attention on Sura.
Suddenly, Orion felt a pair of feminine hands wrapped around him from behind, and a calm, familiar voice entered his ears alongside a wave of warm breath brushed against him.
"Welcome back home, darling," the familiar voice said.
Orion recognized the breasts pressing against his back and already knew it was Aunt Greta from the volume and softness.
"How was your day, Greta?" Orion asked as he turned his head sideways, catching a glimpse of her long black hair before locking gazes with her green eyes.
"Though I had some patients who were difficult to heal, it was fine nonetheless, especially since I was paid extra," Aunt Greta responded.
"So, are you sure that you can solve the Prismerion race problems within two months?" she asked, with a serious tone.
Throughout the day, aside from planning for the start of the structure's construction, she had been burdened with worry about the immense responsibility Orion shouldered.
He had taken on the challenge of finding a way for the Prismerion race to survive outside the mountain without desperately depending on the support of a warrior as they do, all within two months. While her sisters shared the same concerns, they decided not to bombard Orion with questions simultaneously, fearing it would only increase the pressure on him.
Aunt Greta took it upon herself to approach him, as even Celeste didn't think she could control herself in this kind of situation if she talked with him about it.
Of course, after understanding that Orion was also doing so for their Prismerion sisters, who were also pregnant and awaiting the opportunity to leave the mountain and live outside, they were initially surprised. However, considering it was Orion, they quickly understood his intentions and realized they couldn't dissuade him from such a challenging task. Their only choice was to offer their support.
"I wouldn't have said something like that if I could not handle it. So, don't worry about anything and focus on your health. Leave everything to me to handle," Orion said, reassuring her.
Aunt Greta nodded and leaned forward, closing in her lips on Orion's. He reciprocated her actions, and they melded their lips together.
After a few attempts at intertwining their tongues, they both pulled back.
"Go and take your bath so you can prepare for tomorrow," Aunt Greta said, smiling wryly as she noticed the tent forming under Orion's tulga.
Although she wanted to continue, she couldn't go as far as they usually did, like yesterday, because she needed to start carefully observing their actions due to her pregnancy.
